Sergey Bocharov, Rector of Altai State University, and Roman Raikin, Vice-Rector for International Affairs Development participated in the II International Business Forum "Sprouts: Russia and China - Mutually Beneficial Cooperation", held in Kazan from November 13 to 15.
The forum aimed to strengthen business relations and cultural exchanges between Russia and China. As reported on the official website of the forum, the event brought together over 10 thousand delegates from 36 countries, including representatives of 71 regions of Russia and 27 provinces of China. The forum featured 77 business sessions. Sergey Bocharov was invited as an expert to the round table "Educational and scientific cooperation between Russia and China: new projects and development trends."
The meeting addressed several key topics: the development of joint educational programs, academic exchanges, implementation of innovative scientific and technological projects, and commercialization of the results of intellectual activity of Russia and China.
In his speech, Sergey Bocharov emphasized the significance of the institutional framework for collaboration between Altai State University and Chinese partners, which is carried out through the International Coordination Council "Our Common Home Altai", the Association of Asian Universities and the Scientific and Educational Center of Altaic and Turkic Studies "The Greater Altai."
"The primary focus areas for joint scientific and technological projects between Altai State University and Chinese partners include research of the biodiversity of the Greater Altai, identification of promising species of medicinal plants, tourism and sustainable development, trade and economic interaction between the regions of the Greater Altai, and archeology of Central Asia and China. In education, we are implementing a number of network programs. It is important to note that today the university has engaged Chinese educators in its departments of Oriental Studies and Russian as a Foreign Language," the Rector of Altai State University emphasized.
Having presented the university’s current promising projects with Chinese partners, Sergey Bocharov outlined several proposals aimed at enhancing the intensity and effectiveness of scientific and educational cooperation between our countries. First of all, this concerns updating and simplifying the regulatory framework governing the development and implementation of international joint educational programs. Support for multilateral cooperation formats, including the SCO University, Russian-Chinese university associations, the Association of Asian Universities and the Greater Altai Scientific and Educational Center for Altaic Studies and Turkology, is essential.
"In addition, it is necessary to focus on specific scientific areas with substantial advancement and potential," noted Sergey Bocharov. "For example, ecology and sustainable development, and regional economic integration in the cross-border region of the Greater Altai. Another important area is the study of the historical and cultural heritage of the region using a modern instrumental and analytical base and conducting joint archaeological and ethnographic expeditions in both Russia and China."
Sergey Bocharov and Roman Raikin also visited Kazan Federal University, where they met with the university's rector, Lenar Safin. The Altai State University delegation congratulated Lenar Safin on his election as President of the Association of Asian Universities.
During the meeting, the parties discussed plans for the development of the Association, including the work of international project groups on key topics and the organization of the International Asian Student Forum, which will be held in Kazan in 2025. This forum is the largest youth event of the Association, annually bringing together hundreds of active participants from different countries.
The working visit ended with a tour of the Kazan University History Museum.